Confectionary product holder with individualized compartments

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides improved confectionary product holding and dispensing. The present invention includes a holder with individualized compartments including a cover and a holder, wherein the holder includes a plurality of individualized compartments and the cover is slidable along the holder to provide access to one or more of the compartments.

PRIORITY DATA

The present patent application is a 371 of International Application Ser. No. PCT/US13/72818 filed Dec. 3, 2013, which claims benefit from patent application Ser. No. 61/732889 filed Dec. 3, 2012, now expired. The applications listed above are incorporated by reference from as if entirely restated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to packaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to packaging for storing and dispensing confectionary products. The term confectionary product includes, but is not limited to, chewing gum products (including bubble gum), mints, hard candies, boiled candies, lozenges, gummies, chewy candies and combinations thereof, that are coated or not coated, and are in shapes such as, but not limited to pellets, sticks, tabs, balls, pillows, cubes and combinations thereof.

The packaging for confectionary products is very important to the look, marketing, and storage of product. Very often, in addition to text on the packaging, the packaging also attempts to visually convey a message about the type of product, the taste of the product, or the purpose of the product.

In marketing the product packaging can convey other information besides taste, whereby the consumer can thereby associate the product with its effect by simply viewing the packaging.

There are also practical facets to packaging confectionary products, namely, keeping the products from being damaged during shipping, keeping the products fresh, and in certain instances providing a reusable package.

Some confectionary products are packaged in individualized pieces. If it is felt that only a portion of the product (that is, individual pieces of the full product) may be consumed in one sitting, the manufacturer may wish to provide a package whereby the consumer can remove less than the entire contents of the packaged confectionary product. One problem with traditional packaging is that the removal of less than the entire contents of the package leads to the remaining confectionary product tending to fall out of the package.

Attempting to provide a package that holds the product even after the removal of only some of the product can make the removing of the product more difficult. For example, tightly packing the product may aid in holding the product in place at the expense of gaining access to the product.

It is therefore desirable to provide a confectionary product package that maintains the organization of the individualized product pieces even after a portion of the product is removed from the package .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides improved confectionary product holding and dispensing. The present invention includes a confectionary holder with individualized compartments including a cover and a holder, wherein the holder includes a plurality of individualized compartments and the cover is slidable along the holder to provide access to one or more of the compartments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a confectionary product holder with individualized compartments, including a cover and a holder.

FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1 of a confectionary product holder with a holder inserted into a cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a confectionary product holder with individualized compartments 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The confectionary product holder with individualized compartments 100 includes a cover 110 and a holder 150. The cover 110 includes a cover front face 110 having a cover embossment 120, a bottom frictional engagement ridge 130, and a top frictional engagement recess 140. The holder 150 includes a holder front face 155, a front face profile 160, a holder cap 165 including a thumb ridge 170, a rear face having several rear ridges 175, a top frictional engagement tab 177, and a holder bottom edge 180. The holder 150 also holds several confectionary pieces 185 in several insertion ports 190.

FIG. 2 illustrates the confectionary product holder with individualized compartments 100 with the holder 150 inserted into the cover 110. FIG. 2 represents the preferred embodiment of how the confectionary product holder with individualized compartments 100 is initially presented to the consumer.

In operation, as shown in FIG. 2, the holder 150 is fully introduced into the cover 110 so that the cover preferably comes into contact with the holder cap 165. Additionally, when the cover 110 is positioned relative to the holder cap 165, it causes the bottom frictional engagement ridge 130 of the cover to mechanically and/or frictionally engage with a bottom frictional engagement recess 230 of the holder 150. Additionally, the top frictional engagement recess 140 of the cover 110 mechanically and/or frictionally engages with the top frictional engagement tab 177. The mechanical and/or frictional engagements serve to maintain the positioning of the cover 110 in a closed position relative to the holder 150 as shown in FIG. 2.

When a user desires to access one or more of the confectionary product pieces 185, the user grasps the holder cap 165, typically by engaging the thumb ridge 170. The user then also grasps the cover 110 and induces a mechanical force to separate the top edge of the cover 110 from the immediate proximity of the holder cap 165 by applying sufficient mechanical force to overcome the mechanical and/or frictional engagement of bottom frictional engagement recess 230 with the bottom frictional engagement ridge 130 and the top frictional engagement recess 140 with the top frictional engagement tab 177.

When such sufficient force is applied, the user may then slide the cover 110 downwardly along the holder 150 to provide access to one or more of the confectionary product pieces 185.

In one embodiment, the top frictional engagement recess 140 of the cover is designed so that, as the user continues to slide the cover 110 downwardly along the holder 150 away from the holder cap 165, the top frictional engagement recess 140 encounters the first rear ridge 275. The top frictional engagement recess 140 then mechanically and/or frictionally engages with the first rear ridge 275 to form a soft stop in the opening process. For example, the soft stop may typically be felt by a user as the user slides the cover 110 away from the holder cap 165 and is positioned in such a fashion that when the soft stop is encountered, the distance between the top edge of the cover 110 and the bottom edge of the holder cap 165 is sufficient to allow the user to remove the first of the confectionary product pieces 185 from the holder 150.

If the user desires to gain access to another of the confectionary product pieces 185, the user may simply apply additional force to the cover 110 and holder 150 sufficient to overcome the frictional and/or mechanical engagement of the top frictional engagement recess 140 with the first rear ridge 275. The cover 110 may then be slid further downwardly along the holder 150 until the top frictional engagement recess 140 encounters the next rear ridge. At that point, the top frictional engagement recess 140 may then engage the next rear ridge as described above for the first rear ridge 275.

The process of engagement of the top frictional engagement recess 140 with the rear ridges may then continue as the user continues to slide the cover 110 along the holder 150. Finally, the top frictional engagement recess 140 may engage with the holder bottom edge 180. At this point, access to all of the confectionary product pieces 185 has been provided to the user.

Additionally, the confectionary product holder with individualized compartments 100 is re-closable. For example, in the instance where the confectionary product holder with individualized compartments 100 has been opened by the user by applying a sufficient force to induce the cover 110 to slide away from the holder cap 150 until the top frictional engagement recess 140 engages with the first rear ridge, when the user desires to close the confectionary product holder with individualized compartments 100, the user may engage the holder, typically at the top of the holder cap 150 and/or the thumb ridge 170, as well as the cover 110, typically by pushing on the bottom edge of the cover and/or grasping the exterior of the cover 110, and then applying a mechanical force to both the cover 110 and the holder 150 to induce the cover 110 to slide upwards along the holder 150.

The force applied by the user is sufficient to cause the top frictional engagement recess 140 to disengage from the first rear ridge in order to initiate the sliding motion of the cover 110 along the holder 150.

Additionally, as the cover 110 slides upward toward the holder cap 165, the top frictional engagement recess 140 encounters the top frictional engagement tab 177 and is induced into frictional and/or mechanical engagement with the top frictional engagement tab 177 by the force applied by the user. Additionally, the bottom frictional engagement ridge 130 encounters the bottom frictional engagement recess 230 and is induced into frictional and/or mechanical engagement with the bottom frictional engagement recess 230 by the force applied by the user.

An additional aspect of the embodiment of FIG. 2 is that when the holder 150 is fully inserted into the cover 110, the front face profile 160 of the holder 150 is preferably positioned below and confirming to a top edge 260 of the cover embossment 120.

Additionally, the holder front face 155 may include a stripe that is positioned so that when the holder 150 is fully inserted into the cover 110, the stripe is positioned below and conforming to the bottom edge 265 of the cover embossment 120.

Additionally, in one embodiment the cover 110 is transparent. However, the cover 110 may also be opaque, non-opaque, or translucent, or may include one or more regions that are any of transparent, opaque, translucent, and/or non-opaque.

Additionally, although the cover 110 includes an embossment, in one embodiment, the embossment may be replaced with a region having a different texture or visual appearance from the rest of the cover, wherein the region may or may not protrude from the rest of the cover.

Additionally, the height and width of the embossment may be increased or decreased from that shown in the figures. For example, the embossment height may range from 0.25 mm to 1 mm, including 0.5 mm and 0.75 mm.

Alternatively, the embossment may be replaced by an inset area that is depressed from the exterior surface of the cover.

Alternatively, the embossment shown in the figures may be replaced by multiple embossments. Further, the cover may include embossed regions on its front, back, top, bottom, left, and/or right surfaces.

Additionally, the holder may include one or more embossments, such as on the holder cap, for example.

Alternatively, the front panel of the cover may be transparent and the one or more of the top, bottom and/or sides may be non-transparent, opaque, translucent, and/or transparent.

Alternatively, the embossment and/or one or more regions of the cover and/or holder may be textured. Examples of texturing include pebbling and/or roughening and/or alteration of the surface finish, for example to provide a frosted look.

Additionally, the materials used to construct the cover, holder, both, or parts of one or both will be chosen so as to create the required texture (e.g., smooth, pebbly, rough, frosted or combinations thereof) and appearance (e.g., opaque, translucent, transparent, or combinations thereof). These materials could be, but are not limited to, plastics. Plastics, could include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETg), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), and combinations thereof.

Additionally, it is noted that the rear ridges 175 may operate to assist in positioning the cover in a straight configuration to allow the cover to be slid upwards and/or downwards relative to the holder. In one embodiment, the distance between the top of the rear ridges and the bottom of the rear panel of the holder is substantially the same, but slightly less than the width of the opening of the cover so as to maintain the substantially straight configuration of the cover relative to the holder.

Additionally, the rear interior surface of the cover preferably includes a protrusion that cooperates with an indentation on the rear surface of the holder. The protrusion may also assist in positioning the cover in a substantially straight configuration relative to the holder. Additionally, the indentation on the rear surface of the holder may run a substantial portion of the length of the rear interior surface of the holder, but may then terminate before the end of the rear surface of the holder. In this way, the cover may be constrained from being removed from the holder when the protrusion on the rear interior surface of the cover slides down the indentation on the rear surface of the holder until it encounters the end indentation and is constrained from sliding further.

Additionally, one or more of the frictional engagement tab and/or frictional engagement ridge alone or in combination may be referred to as a friction lock, locking ridge, closure ridge, securement ridge, securement member, or frictional engagement ridge.

Additionally, the rear surface of the holder between the rear ridges 175 may be seen to form a semi-circular cut-out area. This area may assist a user in grasping one of the confectionary product pieces 185. Alternatively, there may be no cut-outs or the cut outs may be in a square, rectangular, and/or oval configuration. Alternatively, the type of cut out may vary from one region to another and may be any of none, semi-circular, oval, square, and/or rectangular.

Additionally, the confectionary product insertion ports may be any of square, rectangular, oval, and/or circular, and individual ports may vary from one another.

Alternatively, although the front face profile may be in the shape of a “5” as shown, the front face profile may alternatively be any of several alternative configurations including: concave, convex, a swoop, arch, straight across, and/or angle, or may include portions of any such alternative variations.

Further, the front face profile may or may not align with an embossment or graphic on the cover when the cover is in a closed position and/or in any other position.

Additionally, the stripe on the front of the holder that preferably aligns with one edge of the embossed “5” may be omitted or may be widened or narrowed. Additionally, when one of the alternative profiles is employed, a stripe matching the alternative profile may be included on the front of the holder.

Additionally, the thumb ridge may be configured as an angle angling outward and away from the front face of the holder. Alternatively, the thumb ridge may be concave. Alternatively, the thumb ridge may extend for only a portion of the front of the holder. Additionally, the thumb ridge may include varying regions comprising one or more of an angled region, a convex region, an insert, hole, or recess, and a region of increased friction such as a textured or pebbled region.

In an alternative embodiment, the cover 110 does not include one or both of the bottom fictional engagement ridge 130 and top frictional engagement recess 140 and the holder does not include one or more of the top frictional engagement tab 177 and bottom frictional engagement recess 230.

In one embodiment, the confectionary product holder with individualized compartments 100 may be re-loaded once the original confectionary product pieces 185 are removed from the confectionary product insertion ports 190.

Alternatively, the confectionary product pieces 185 may be wrapped or unwrapped and/or may be shaped as a sphere, ovoid, rectangle, rounded rectangle, square, and/or rounded square.

Alternatively, the cover 110 need not fully encapsulate the holder. For example, the cover may only cover one, two, or three sides of the holder. Additionally, the holder may be equipped with one or more ridges to allow the cover to be slid along the holder and/or retained in cooperation with the holder. In one embodiment, the cover may be configured in an “L” shape along the front of the holder. Additionally, the holder may be configured in an opposing “L” shape. The cover may be engaged to the holder by forming one or more interlocking and/or cooperating ridges. In another embodiment, the cover is “U”-shaped and covers the top of the confectionary product pieces 185. Alternatively, the cover may be a sliding strip positioned along the top edge of the confectionary product pieces 185. Alternatively, the cover may be formed of multiple components. For example, each of the confectionary product pieces 185 may include its own cover that may be individually operated. The individual access may be distinguished from a bulk access that provides access to multiple of the confectionary product pieces 185, and is also an alternative embodiment.

Additionally, the confectionary product holder with individualized compartments 100 may be described as one or more of reusable, refillable, and portable.

Additionally, the embossing and/or other region on the cover may have a width of from 1 to 10 mm and preferably 4 to 5 mm. Additionally, instead of the embossing including a first edge that rises from the surface of the cover to an embossment height and a second edge that descends from the embossment height back to the surface of the cover, the embossing may include only a single edge rising from the surface of the cover and the embossed region may extend from the edge over the rest of the front side of the cover.

Additionally, although the confectionary product holder with individualized compartments 100 has been described as holding confectionary product pieces, any edible product or edible material may be placed in the holder.

Alternatively, in addition to or instead of the transparent cover, the holder may also be transparent.

While particular elements, embodiments, and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto because modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teaching. It is therefore contemplated by the appended claims to cover such modifications and incorporate those features which come within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A confectionary product holder with individualized compartments including: a cover; and a holder, wherein said holder includes a plurality of individualized compartments containing one edible product, wherein said cover is slidable along said holder to provide access to one or more of said individualized compartments.
 2. The confectionary product holder of claim 1, wherein the holder includes a holder cap.
 3. The confectionary product holder of claim 2, wherein the holder is fully introduced into the cover so that the cover comes into contact with the holder cap.
 4. The confectionary product holder of claim 2, wherein the cover includes a bottom frictional engagement ridge.
 5. The confectionary product holder of claim 4, wherein the holder includes a bottom frictional engagement recess.
 6. The confectionary product holder of claim 5, wherein the cover causes the bottom frictional engagement ridge of the cover to mechanically and/or frictionally engage with the bottom frictional engagement recess when the cover is positioned relative to the holder cap.
 7. The confectionary product holder of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a top frictional engagement recess and the holder includes a top frictional engagement tab.
 8. The confectionary product holder of claim 7, wherein the top frictional engagement recess of the cover mechanically and/or frictionally engages with the top frictional engagement tab of the holder.
 9. The confectionary product holder of claim 8, wherein the cover includes a bottom frictional engagement recess and the holder includes a bottom frictional engagement ridge.
 10. The confectionary product holder of claim 9, wherein sufficient mechanical force may be applied to overcome the mechanical and/or frictional engagement of the bottom frictional engagement recess with the top frictional engagement tab.
 11. The confectionary product holder claim 10, wherein the holder includes one or more rear ridges.
 12. The confectionary product holder of claim 11, wherein each rear ridge corresponds to an individualized compartment.
 13. The confectionary product holder of claim 12, wherein sliding the cover downwardly from the holder cap will cause the top frictional engagement recess to encounter the first rear ridge.
 14. The confectionary product holder of claim 13, wherein sliding the cover downwardly from the holder cap will cause the top frictional engagement recess to encounter each rear ridge in the holder until the top frictional engagement recess encounters the bottom frictional engagement ridge.
 15. The confectionary product holder of claim 14, wherein the encounter of the top frictional engagement recess with the any rear ridge will cause a soft stop at that rear ridge.
 16. The confectionary product holder of claim 15, wherein the encounter of the top frictional engagement recess with a rear ridge will provide access to one or more of the individualized compartments.
 17. The confectionary product holder of claim 16, wherein the confectionary product holder is re-closable by sliding the cover along the holder until the top edge frictional engagement recess encounters the top frictional engagement tab.
 18. The confectionary holder of claim 17, wherein the holder, cover, both, or parts of both are made of plastic, including but not limited to polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETg), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), and combinations thereof.
 19. The confectionary holder of claim 17, wherein the holder, cover, both, or parts of one or both are textured so as to be smooth, pebbly, rough, opaque, translucent, transparent, or combinations thereof.
 20. A method for packaging a confectionary product including: providing a holder with individualized compartments for holding confectionary product pieces; and providing a cover, wherein the cover is slidable along the holder to provide access to one or more of the individualized compartments. 